Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard

Pearl Harbor Navy Shipyard is now a area of the Naval Station Pearl Harbor, a U.S. naval base situated close to Honolulu, Hawaii. It’s past history of extensive use of asbestos is similar to most other shipyards in the nation, and in turn, thousands of people developed life-threatening, asbestos-related diseases, including malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer.

If you or a loved one suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, awaiting those who’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos illness. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about top mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard History

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard was founded in 1899, shortly after the annexation of Hawaii. It was initially created as a way to allow room for more vessels. However, over the next numerous years, over 80 acres was added, and the Navy spent time upgrading the shipyard. Upgrades included machine shops, housing, a smith and foundry, and much more.

Throughout the early and mid 1900s, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard continued to expand and develop further, including widening the channels in order for the area to accept much larger vessels. During World War I, Pearl Harbor, known as the “Gibraltar of the Pacific,” played a large role in the helping the defend the West Coast of the nation. However, once the Great Depression hit the U.S., production and expansion slowed down considerably at the shipyard for many years, which lasted until the start of the 2nd world war.

During 1941, Pearl Harbor experienced a surprise attack and bombing by Japan, which became one of the most well-known and one of the most tragic events in U.S. history. The surprise attack spurred the launch of World War II, and once again the shipyard began expanding and developing in order to help accommodate the war. However, along with massive expansion came the use of the asbestos and asbestos-containing products.

Asbestos at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard

As mentioned earlier, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard relied on asbestos in the past, similar to most other shipyards prior to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) strict regulations on its use. More than 10,000 workers of various different occupations were exposed to the deadly mineral every day they went into work, and for prolonged periods of time.

As a ship repair facility, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard used many of the same asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that were once used as shipbuilding facilities. The U.S. Navy suggests that more than 250 different types of asbestos-containing products were used at shipyards in the past, in things such as insulation, sprays, cement, construction materials, and much more.

In addition, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that people who worked at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard who participated in a study were found to have a heightened risk of lung cancer, as well as a heightened increase of developing mesothelioma when compared to shipyard workers in the other parts of the the United States.

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Today

Naval Station Pearl Harbor contains the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard inside of its complex, located a few miles from the Honolulu International airport. It’s situated on over several hundred acres, on the island of Oahu.

The shipyard currently focuses on upgrading its facilities to ensure that its a safe place for all workers after being named a SuperFund site by the EPA in the 1990s. This includes either removing or renovating structures and buildings that were used during World War II. So far, close to 300 buildings have been torn down.

Additional Information and Helpful Resources for Asbestos Victims

If you’ve been injured by mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation. Remember to fill out our from to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers. If you have questions or need additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.

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Author Leigh Egan

Leigh Egan has been a writer, editor, and reporter since 2005. She’s an award-winning journalist who specializes in conducting in-depth research on mesothelioma and the legal options available to asbestos victims. She has been the head writer at MesotheliomaLawyerCenter.org
since 2012.